The Chargers saw last year just how important Philip Rivers is to their team's success. He was an MVP candidate for the first six or so weeks before an injury slowed him (and the team) down. Had Philip stayed healthy the entire season the Bolts would have very likely walked in to the playoffs.
With that in mind, Rivers is not going to play in San Diego's second preseason game in Arizona. He's not injured, the Chargers just want to make sure they keep him that way. Plus, the Cardinals have a pretty darn good defense so there's no reason to put the most important player on the roster in harm's way for a meaningless game. They're not giving him $65 million guaranteed to play exhibitions.
Kellen Clemens will get the start with the first-team offense that will also be missing running back Melvin Gordon, who's being held out with an ankle injury. Backup center Trevor Robinson will also not play.
On defense, starting cornerback Jason Verrett won't play with a nagging hamstring issue. He'll be joined on the bench by defensive end Corey Liuget, linebacker Denzel Perryman and cornerback Steve Williams.
We already knew cornerback Chris Davis (concussion), offensive guard Johnnie Troutman (broken arm) and linebacker Tourek Williams (broken foot) would not be on the field Saturday night in Glendale.
